Community Collaboration — Our 2026 Literacy Program
Phase 1: Summer Fun Reading – Completed in May
In May, every student from kindergarten through 3rd grade at Lincoln’s Title One elementary schools received a new book to take home and enjoy over summer break. In total, 900 books were distributed! This initiative was made possible through the two major Kiwanis fundraisers: See’s candy sales and Bingo
Kiwanis Club President Colette Sullivan spreading smiles.
Kiwanis Community Liaison Cynthia Liddell delivers books.
Kiwanis member Connie Anderson posing with a few titles to be given away.
Phase 2: Family Book Bag – Completed at the end of this school year.
This is a collaborative effort between our club, First Street Elementary School and the Lincoln Public Library where 34 students, identified by the school, received a book bag with seven new books, a Summer Fun Reading Parent Guide Handout, a library card completed for their family and a handout about using the public library.
Back-to-School Reading Room in August
Phase 3: Back-to-School Reading Room in August
Phase 3: Back-to-School Reading Room in August
During the HUB (Family Resource Center) Resource Fair in August, Kiwanis of Lincoln in collaboration with Rotary Club of Lincoln will give out approximately 700 books to students preparing for the new school year.
This initiative was made possible through the two major Kiwanis fundraisers (See’s candy sales and Bingo) and generous donations from:
The Rotary Club of Lincoln, the Lincoln Community Foundation, Kiwanis Lincoln Foothills, Gladding McBean, The Woman’s Club of Lincoln and Ken Aquino from Edward Jones.
Thank you for your support!
This initiative was made possible through the two major Kiwanis fundraisers (See’s candy sales and Bingo) and generous donations from:
The Rotary Club of Lincoln, the Lincoln Community Foundation, Kiwanis Lincoln Foothills, Gladding McBean, The Woman’s Club of Lincoln and Ken Aquino from Edward Jones.
Thank you for your support!
Literacy
Improving the literacy of the children in the Lincoln area is a major focus of the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln. In 2021, we conducted a community assessment to identify needs post-COVID. Many schools saw a drop in literacy and a need to address social-emotional support. Imagine that impact. Studies have shown that children who cannot read at grade level by third grade are less likely to graduate from high school, while those who read or are read to at home tend to perform better academically than those who are not.
We aim to get kids excited about reading! Kiwanis of Lincoln supports literacy in our community. We do this in a variety of ways:
- Grants to support school programs
- Grants to school libraries
- Free books to children
- BUGS program (Kiwanis program to enhance reading skills at the elementary school level.)
- Communication with teachers, principals and administrators
We are always seeking additional volunteers to help us!
Here’s our ribbon-cutting ceremony at First Street Elementary with principal Lyndsay Reynolds!
Kiwanis Club of Lincoln Awarded Grant to Support Local School Book Vending Machine
The Kiwanis Club of Lincoln is proud to announce a grant award from the International Kiwanis Children’s Fund to support the purchase and installation of a book vending machine at First Street Elementary School.
This unique initiative aims at fostering a culture of love for reading among its students. This project promotes literacy and empowers children to build their home libraries. By providing access to a diverse selection of books, the book vending machine will serve as an exciting incentive for students to cultivate a lifelong love for reading. Research shows that allowing children to choose their books significantly increases their engagement in reading and enhances comprehension skills.
"We are thrilled to have received this grant, which will support our ongoing efforts to nurture the growth and development of children in our community," said Colette Sullivan, Vice President and co-chair of the grants committee for the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln. "Our club is deeply committed to initiatives that benefit children, and we believe that promoting literacy is crucial for their future success."
In addition to the grant from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, funding for the project is being provided by the First Street Parent Teacher Organization and the Cynthia Liddell and Alan Tottle Foundations.
The Kiwanis Club of Lincoln thanks these organizations for their generous support.